Making phone calls when young children are around

[Greenginghamdress]

Is anyone else unable to do this?

I had to briefly ring the DVLA this morning (I won't get other free time today) and I thought DD (4) was watching TV. But she came into the room telling me about something. I motioned her too sshh but she wouldn't so I went into the bathroom and stood against the door for 2 minutes. She threw herself against the door 4 or 5 times. It was so loud I ended my call ASAP, to the man I was speaking to it probably sounded like gunshots! 🙈
I don't really call my mum or brother when DD is awake as she talks over me or starts climbing on me, not worth the hassle. It is annoying tbh.
Anyone else relate?

A 4 year old is definitely old enough to understand she needs to leave you alone and be quiet when you’re on the phone. What were the consequences of bashing the door? I would have been furious with mine for doing that at that age!

I occasionally have to WFH for the odd hour and if I have to make a phone call I ask my 4 year old DD to get all her demands out of the way if she wants anything from me (drink / snack) and then tell her I need to make a phonecall and to be very quiet and I will be back in to her as soon as its over and she is quite good now at understanding that. But it does have to be planned and not a spontaneous call or it'll just be 'Mooommm' through the whole thing

Yes and it continues until they leave home 😂

@RubertRoo Ah I didn't pre warn her. That's a very good idea actually.

@RibNSaucyArseCrack I told her and said to never do that again.
I was quite suprised to be honest, it was not on IMO.

@BoDerek 🤣

Every time I need to call the doctors, DS will fall over or smash into the dining table or poke himself in the face with a toy and then immediately start howling. Which is exactly what you need when you've finally got through to the receptionist on the 56th redial and 10 minutes of hold music.

My kids are older but I always say to them "I'm going on the phone so don't disturb me" WITHOUT FAIL they interpret that as "come and ask me a question but whisper and use sign language"
We've had multiple chats about not interrupting unless it's an emergency but it doesn't seem to sink in 😩

I mean hand signals not sign language - apologies

I usually tell DD3 that I have to phone someone and she needs to be quiet and then give her a snack or something to keep her occupied. Spontaneous calls she wants to take part in She assumes that if someone is talking, then she is included.

Yes but instead of shutting myself in a room I say to the person on the phone 'sorry my toddler doesn't care that I'm on the phone' they chuckle, I speak to the toddler and hurry it along, distract with a lolly, tablet, anything, and get on with the call.

I don't really call my mum or brother when DD is awake as she talks over me or starts climbing on me, not worth the hassle.

These are the people you need to practice with, I would be calling them daily and teaching her to not disturb you when you are on the phone. At 4 she is more than capable of not disturbing you. She's pushing boundaries.

Yep, my 5 year old has a terrible habit for doing this, he can sit there watching his tablet or playing away and not talking to me for absolutely ages, but as soon as I need to ring someone it's like he NEEDS to talk to me right NOW. It's really very frustrating, I usually ignore him and signal him to shush or go away if it's important. If it's DH on the phone I sternly say "I'm on the phone" and again ignore him. We have the same problem in-person as well when he tries to interrupt our conversations, so we say "mommy and daddy are talking, it's rude to interrupt" and make him wait until we have finished.

I have a 2.5hr training course this evening. Kids are 9&10. They will be a strict instructions to not disturb and go to bed at 8pm. I fully expect at least 1 cameo appearance...

Fortunately I work for a youth organisation.

My 12 year old daughter …who I always remind to take her keys with her…I’m on an important work call mid talking …she rings the doorbell…dog then go mental….I rush to open the door while shhhh the dog (wireless headset) she then preceded to complain I wasn’t quick enough and what’s for dinner. I wasn’t on mute
Even the older ones love to embarrass us :)